Psalms 26:9
Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 9
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֶּאֱסֹ֣ף
Gather
H622
תֶּאֱסֹ֣ף
Gather
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
2 of 9
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
3 of 9
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
נַפְשִׁ֑י
not my soul
H5315
נַפְשִׁ֑י
not my soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְעִם
H5973
וְעִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
6 of 9
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אַנְשֵׁ֖י
H376
אַנְשֵׁ֖י
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 9
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Historical Context
Israel's history included divine judgment where the righteous and wicked were separated (flood, Sodom, Egyptian plagues). The prayer asks God to distinguish between covenant-keepers and covenant-breakers in final judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise of perseverance assure you won't share the wicked's fate?
- What does separation from 'sinners and bloody men' mean temporally and eternally?
Analysis & Commentary
The plea 'Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men' asks for separation from the wicked's fate. The fear is not temporary association but eternal destiny. Reformed theology sees this as a prayer for perseverance—that God would not allow the psalmist to fall away into apostasy and face judgment with the wicked. Election ensures believers won't share the wicked's end. This prayer expresses confidence in divine preservation, not self-achieved holiness.